Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says freedom and the celebration of freedom are parts of Jamaica’s history that cannot carry a price tag.

His comments are in response to a suggestion from the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) for an extended weekend holiday from Friday to Monday to celebrate Emancipation and Independence holidays.

The group says the current dates, August 1 and 6, separated by a mere five days, pose challenges to some businesses and result in extended periods of reduced productivity, as many workers and businesses tend to bridge the gap between the dates with additional time off.

The PSOJ added that the weekend-long celebration could attract tourists to participate in cultural events, concerts, and festivals and boost revenue.

However, Justice Sykes says the holidays hold far greater significance marking Jamaica’s transition from chattel slavery to independence.

He states that the country should not lose sight of these dates among others in the name of productivity.

Reflecting on the importance of August 1, 1834 to his family and his journey to becoming Chief Justice, Mr. Sykes points out that emancipation allowed his family to acquire land and facilitated the education of his ancestors.

He was speaking at the annual assize service to mark the opening session of the Michaelmas term of the Home Circuit Court.

The service yesterday was held at the William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church in Trelawny, under the theme: Diligently and Creatively Pursuing Justice and Peace.